u/Torii_theteddy

Hi fellow chow chow lovers! Asking for some advice from experienced chow owners who may have encountered a similar situation.

We have three dogs in the home, two female pups (a doodle and chow) and one male (a ratcha). All three are rescue pups. We got our chow from a rescue as a puppy at 8 weeks and our doodle as a 2 year old stray. Both girls have grown up together their entire time - as we got the chow when the doodle was in the home.

They grew up together and always got along, becoming the best of friends as pups playing together. As our chow got bigger, our doodle felt less comfortable playing with her and while they still coexist fine, they don't play or interact as much.

About a year and a half ago, the doodle and chow got into a fight. Our doodle got trapped in a corner outside and being anxious (and having some trauma post adoption) she snipped at our chow and the chow responded very aggressively biting her face ending up in me having to pull them apart screaming as the chow just wouldn't let go. Our doodle ended up with lacerations above her eye and a puncture wound. It happened not over any territorial item (food or toys) but because our doodle couldnt leave the corner as our chow was trying to play with her.

Over the last year and a half we have been super diligent watching them. Our doodle is a very anxious pup and can be quite mouthy/nippy but the chow doesn't usually react, and our chow is very sweet but definitely doesn't like her space invaded either.

Unfortunately, a brawl happened again 😢 this weekend. Same scenario, doodle got trapped behind a lawn chair and the house wall while running around outside, chow tried to enter space and doodle nipped. Chow reacted with fighting/biting and doodle ended in the ER with a puncture wound to her ear and multiple bite scratches on both ears. We were right there and right on it (as they are never alone together) but it happened so fast.

We are devastated and not sure where to go from here. Our chow has had 12 weeks of training as a puppy but doesn't interact much with other dogs aside from her siblings or foster pups (we have had over a dozen and she does great with all sizes). Our doodle is knowingly anxious and doesn't interact with other dogs well either outside of fosters whom she just stays away from. We separate them any time we aren't in the house, we go outside with them every time and we are very diligent in watching both but even with the best circumstances, it happened again.

We don't know where to go from here cuz it's not resource guarding or anything and seems more like a trauma response from the doodle (doesn't do well being trapped) and our chow not heeding the warning. After the incident, our chow is always so remorseful and cries to be next to sister doodle but the doodle is understandably, not having it and very cautiously wants to stay away. We are keeping them separate now but curious any other advice or if we really do need to rehome one for safety. thank you ❤️